Eady: Reader-submitted questions answered

More on up and coming Lubbock businesses

Devoting my Sunday Business section column to updating readers on up-and-coming local businesses generated massive response. And as I told you, if you ask, I will do my best to give you an answer.

But giving you an answer brought up another issue completely — where, and how, do I answer the questions emailed in each week.

The most obvious place: a Thursday column.

There are lots of changes coming to the business pages in the next few weeks.

Starting with the Sunday update column and now with a Thursday reader-generated Q&A, look for a fresh look and content delivered in some unique ways coming to the business pages of the A-J soon.

The questions below were taken directly from reader-submitted emails recently received.

I can’t be everywhere all the time, or even anywhere some of the time. So the readers are my eyes and ears, and often my first tip.

“What is going on between Coronado High School and the old United Supermarket at 34th Street, old 29th Drive (which they are tearing out), and Marsha Sharp Freeway?”

This area has been bought by Lubbock ISD with plans to devote much of the area to additional parking.

“Have been observing a large construction site on the south side of the Slaton Highway, just east across the road from the Montford Psychiatric Unit. Keep hearing about oilfield service companies moving in; could this be one of them?”

The occupant of this location will be released soon, but is not oil and gas related.

“Several weeks ago, a friend of mine went to Dress Barn in Amarillo, and the employees there told her they were getting a store in Lubbock!”

Dress Barn has no Lubbock location to announce at this time. However, an employee at the Amarillo location did tell me that, according to the company’s district manager, plans are in the works to open a Lubbock location by the end of the year.

“While visiting in the Dallas area last weekend, we ate at a Panera Bread restaurant (which we always do when we’re in that area). An employee there told us that they plan to open a Panera Bread in Lubbock in ‘about a year.’ Any word on that?”:

Panera Bread plans to open at least two Hub City locations within the next 12 months, with plans for a third the following year. Franchise rights or the local locations have been bought. No locations have been released at this time.

“Now we need news on Red Robin...”

“I know we have BJ’s and Chuy’s with Long Horn about to open, but can you tell me what restaurant will be opening between BJ’s & Chuy’s?”

Red Robin is planning to open a Lubbock location by the end of 2013. The location is believed to be on South Loop 289 between BJ’s and Chuy’s, but is not confirmed at this time.

“There is a lot of activity going on at the location of the old Elm Grove Country Club. Any ideas what is going on there?”

That location is owned by Tigris Holdings. The construction project under way right now is for high-end, or luxury, apartments, according to the developer. Tigris has plans for developing the remaining space for retail, office and, of course, more restaurant space.

If you submitted a question recently that was not answered, check next Thursday’s column for the scoop. Thanks for the response. Keep the questions coming!

ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for
following agreed-upon rules of civility. Posts and
comments do not reflect the views of this site. Posts and comments are
automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some
comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules,
click the "Flag as offensive" link below the comment.